Wheel-like seating device



1953 E. H. IBISNER ET AL 2,654,418

WHEEL-LIKE SEATING DEVICE Filed May 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fica. 3. Fica.

. INVENTOR$ EDWARD H. Bmmsa y PETER PGALL GHER Oct. 6, 1953 E. H. BISNER ET AL WHEEL-LIKE SEATING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12, 1952 INVENTORS EDWARD H. B\5NER BY PETER P. GALLAGHER,

gummga Oct. 6, 1953 E, BlSNER ETAL 2,654,418

WHEEL-LIKE SEATING DEVICE Filed May 12, 1952 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.5 EDWARD H. BISNER, BY PETERP. GALLAGHER,

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 WHEEL-LIKE SEATING DEVICE Edward H. Bisner and Peter P. Gallagher, Hollywood, Fla.

Application May 12, 1952, Serial No. 287,374

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in seating devices and has particular reference to a seating device embodying dual chairs that are supported within a pair of parallel and spaced apart wheel-dike frames constructed in a manner to be extended for disposing the chairs in spaced apart identical seating positions.

The primary object of the present invention resides in novel chair devices that are rigidly supported in half circular frames hinged together in a manner to constitute a wheel-like support when the device is collapsed for rolling movement from place to place with the hinge means permitting the frames to be extended in end to end relation for disposing their respective chairs in identical seating position.

Novel features of construction embodying a pair of half circular spaced apart frames for each chair, with the frames being hinged together in a manner to permit them to be swung apart in an arcuate path with their respective chairs being positioned in identical height from a ground level, together with brace means for retaining the extended frame against shifting with respect to each other, the device including latch means for retaining the frames in wheellike position against accidental shifting.

The invention embodies novel seat and back supporting frames supported within the half circular frames, together with arm rests and article supporting trays for each chair.

A further object of the invention resides in novel back supporting means constructed in a manner to permit the shifting of the chair backs from end to end of the seats whereby the backs may be disposed in opposite positions to permit a seating arrangement with the chairs faced in opposite directions, the shifting of the backs permitting the collapsing of the frames with the chairs substantially lying wholly within the wheel-like frame in opposed relation to each other.

Other novel features of construction and arrangement of parts will be more clearly pointed out during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated a preferred embodiment of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the seating device in the collapsed wheel-like position,

Figure 2 is an end view thereof,

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof,

Figure 4 is'a central transverse vertical section, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a side elevation with the half circular frames extended and disposing the chairs in seating position,

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 5,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary section illustrating latch means for retaining the device in collapsed wheel-like position, taken on line T1 of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section, part in elevation, illustrating the shiftable support for the chair backs and,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the chair forming and fabric supporting frame to be mounted within the half circular frames.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numerals 5 and 6 designates identical half circular frame members as a whole, each frame member embodying spaced apart and preferably tubular sections 1 and 8. The frame members 5 and 6 are hingedly connected at 9 in a manner whereby the frame sections can swing in an arc to form a pair of identical ground supports in end to end relation. The tubular sections I and 8 are rigidly tied together in parallel spaced relation by tubular cross members it and H. The hinged means 9 is connected to the adjacent cross tubes H as plainly illustrated. The free end of each half circular section 3 is provided with an apertured plug l2, for the reception of a bevelled latch pin [3, carried by plugs It, fixedly positioned in the free ends of the half circular members I. A spring pressed latch I5 carries a latch l6 that normally extends into the path of travel of the pin l3 and serves to maintain the half circular members in a position to form a complete wheel-like device. The latches are obviously carried upon opposite sides of the device.

Each half circular frame carries a chair, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral H. The structure of the chairs are identical and a description of one will suffice for both. The chair structure is preferably fabricated from light weight tubular metal, such as aluminum and embodies side sections it of generally U- shape, including a straight horizontal traverse rail l9 and angularly disposed legs 20. The rails I!) are rigidly maintained in parallel spaced rela tion, by tubular cross rails 21, bolted or otherwise connected to the rails [9 adjacent to the legs 20. Inwardly spaced from the rails l9, are parallel tubular rails 22, bolted or otherwise rigidly connected to the rails 2 l, as more clearly shown in Figure 10. Arm rests 23, of wood, metal or any other desirable material are supported upon generally U-shaped tubular supports 24, embodying a straight supporting rail 25 and angularly disposed .legs 26. The legs 26 ,are rigidly connected to the legs Zfiyasi-by bolts or welding and the supports 24 are angularly arranged to position the arm rests 23 outwardly of the seating area of the chair I1. At assembly, the legs 20 are bolted or welded'to 'the half circular members I and 8 and rig-idlyzsupportstthe chair structure with respect to its respectivemair of half circular frames. A suitable flexible seat fabric 21, is jointly connected to-the'rails 2i :and 22 in any desirable manner. A recessed tray device 28 is provided for each chair and is rigidly ponnected atone side to the cross members I and at the oppositeside tothe. rails-'25.

,A'backsupport, indicated as a'whole'byr'the vnumeral 28, .is ,adaptedto be supported in an inclined manner upon the seat frame. The sup- A port-.29 consists oi-a u-fshapedtubularframefifi having its terminal ends pivotally supportedlin traverse brackets 3l, as.at.32. Thesbracketstl provide a'socket of veshape, with, the angularity of the socketdeterrnining theangularity of the.

back support. Each bracket 3! is preferably formed integralwith asleeve that is adapted tohave shiftable sliding-movement on the rails [9, for a purpose to be presently described. .Each

irameta is preferably covered by a fiexible..slipon-fabr-ic coveri i. While the seatl'l, and back 3% have been described as being '01 fabric,.it will be apparent that other suitable coverings may be employed, such as plastic strips or .the, like.

In the construction of thedevice the several half-circular members i and .8 areformedsand rigidly connected by the tubular members-[Band H. :The chair-structure is then .fabricated by suitably shaping the several rails. 'Prior'to the shaping of the side sections iB a bracket 93! is placed thereomafter which, the legslflfi. areangularly bent. The rails .21 and 22 arethen bolted in position. The arm rests are theniformedand assembled and theirlegs 2% bolted tothellegsllzli. The chair structure is then rigidly bolted; in position by bolting the legsiti to theirrespectivehalf- "circular members 1 and-8. Thetray devices .28 arethen bolted in position between thearmrests and the member i6. Hinges dare then con- ;nected'to each of-the members H,.by screws .or 7

bolts andserve topermit the arcuate-swinging movement of the halfcircular sections .toward and from each other. The back supportframejifl is then pivotally connected-to the brackets -31, after which the fabric 27 and V3:? isattached .to the seat frame and back respectively. The device isnow ready for use.

With the half circular sections 5:,and 6 .in.the closed or wheel-like position, as shown in Figures .1 toe, it .will-be apparent, that inorderfor the chairs to shift with thehalf. circular sections, it

.is necessary that the backs .29 be oppositelypositioned to permit the overlapping of thebacks with respect to the adjacent chair. For this purpose, prior tothe collapsing of the device, one back support is shifted to the opposite .endof its respective rails l9, after which thesections 5 and .fican be swung togetherand.the.backs. 29

overlapping the adjacent: chair. structure,-. clearly shoWninEigures .1 to A, I'he. latches -2l 5 .securely retain the sections 5 and 6 in the closed or collapsed position of Figure 1 to permit the device to be easily rolled from place to place with no interfering projections. While the hinges 9 will project slightly beyond the circumference of the device, it is contemplated that each half-circular member 1 and 8 will be equipped with a narrow rubber tire for its entire outer circumference with :the tirerhaving the thickness substantially the degree of'projection ofthe hinges. f However, the tires may or may not be employed and it i not ;,believed that the hinge projection will offer any sobiectiontothe free rolling of the closed wheellikedevice.

tvlherr it isudesired to open and extend the sec- :tions to seat forming position, the operator relation .with the v.arcuate. sections ICEStilflgllDOl'l the ground. A brace bar 35, piv-otally supported .at -.to .one half-circular member 8, .is then swung -.,outwardly to engage a .stud bolt '37, carrriedsbythe mating. half-circular member i. The free endofthe bari35 is notched at fit, to engage the stud 3'! andisfixed.inbracingposition by .a wing. nut .againstaccidental release. vInwardly .of the notch .38, the bar '35 .is-notched at 39 .to .engageover .a stud Ail, carriedbythe memberfl and serves. to. retainthebrace in inoperative position against interference with theiree rollingof theclosed device. -A wingrnut servestohold the barin the inoperative-position. :Aiter the sectionshave been swungto seat forming position, the back fiupp-ortscare shifted to. the desired end of the rails l9, in..the manner illustrated inFig- It will be apparent from-theforegoing, that-a yerynovel multiple chair .device has been provided. The structure is simple-and easily assembled and is extendedto form a pair ofidentical chairs with a minimum ofrefi-ort' or collapsed into ca :compact nested arrangement to form .a completewheelelike frame'rthatJfacilitatesmoving the device fromplaceto place'by rolling or'for'storage. The. chairs areoffset inwardly toward each other from the arouate center of each half circular section, providing adequate clearance for the trays 28 and placing the major weight upon the hinges 9 and brace-bar 35. The seat H is of conventional height from the ground and'the angularity of the back supports are such as to provide a .veryoomfortable seating arrangement with the added convenience of the. trays 28. "The device is relatively cheap to manufacture, is strong, durablesand highly convenient in use.

..It..is vto he understood, that the specific structural details and arrangement of parts maybe varied ...as.readily fall within .the spirit of the invention or the scopeiof the subjoined claims. Having describedourinvention, what we claim .as new-and .desireto secureby Letters Patent is: 1. A wheel-like seating device that-comprises a circular frame, -.multip1e chairs supported in the circularlframe,.the.circularQframeZbeing extensible for disposing the chairs in spaced apart seat forming position.

2. A wheel-like seating device that comprises a circular frame formed in separable half circular sections, a chair supported in each of the sections, the frame sections being extensible with respect to each other to dispose their supported chairs in spaced apart seat forming position.

3. A wheel-like seating device that comprises a pair of half-circular frame sections hinged together at one side, latch means for retaining the sections in a wheel-like form, a chair device supported in each half-circular frame section, the chairs including a seat and a back rest, the halfcircular frames being separable from each other in an arcuate path to be disposed in end to end relation for disposing their respective chairs in spaced apart seat forming position and brace means for retaining the frames in their end to end relation against accidental shifting.

4. A two part wheel-like seating device of the character described that comprises a pair of identical half-circular frames hinged together at one side, each frame consisting of a pair of parallel and spaced apart half-circular members, cross members for retaining the frame members in rigid spaced relation, a chair device rigidly supported in each half-circular frame, a rigid frame for each chair that is connected to its respective half-circular members, arm rests for each chair, a back rest for each chair, the back rests being shiftable to opposite ends of a seat included in the chairs, a tray device for each chair, the half-circular frames being arcuately extended for disposing the frames in end to end relation, latch means for retaining the half-circular frame members in a wheel-like form and brace means for retaining the half-circular frame members in extended position, the frame members disposing the chairs in spaced apart seat forming position.

5. The structure as in claim 4, wherein the back rests are angularly disposed with respect to the seat in either position of adjustment.

6. A rolling wheel-like multiple chair supporting device that includes a pair of identical half-circular frames hinged together at one side, latch means for retaining the frames in a wheellike position, each frame embodying a pair of identical spaced apart and parallel half-circular tubes, cross tubes retaining the half-circular tubes in spaced relation, a chair device rigidly supported in each half-circular frame, each chair including a seat and a back rest, a rigid frame for the support of the seat and back rest that consists of parallel side rails and parallel end rails, legs formed upon the side rails and having rigid connection with the half-circular tubes of their respective half-circular frame, brackets shiftable upon the side rails, the back rest consisting of a fabric supporting frame having its ends supported in the brackets, the back rests being bodily shiftable upon the side rails to be disposed at either end of the chair frame, a seat secured to the chair frame, arm rests for the opposite sides of each chair, supporting means for the arm rests that is rigidly connected to the legs, a tray device rigidly supported adjacent each chair, the half circular frames being hingedly connected at one side to be swung apart in an arc to be disposed in end to end relation to position their respective chairs in seating position, the frames when in wheel-like position being in abutting relation with their respective chairs in opposed relation and latch means for retaining the frame in the wheel-like position.

'7. The device as in claim 6, wherein each chair frame includes fabric supporting side rails inwardly spaced and parallel with the first named side rails and connected at their opposite ends with the end rails, the end rails and the inwardly spaced rails jointly supporting a fabric seat cover.

8. The device as in claim 6, wherein the brackets are provided with oppositely inclined end walls to angularly dispose the back rest with respect to the chair at opposite ends of the chair.

EDWARD H. BISNER. PETER P. GALLAGHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 647,785 Anderson Apr. 17, 1900 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 9,321 Great Britain A. D. 1895 

